Kathmandu — Colourful kites are filling the skies over Kirtipur as school students gather at open grounds to enjoy kite flying ahead of Dashain, combining festive fun with a traditional outdoor activity.
Schools are bringing groups of students to the Kirtipur grounds, giving them a chance to step away from classrooms and screens, spend time with friends and enjoy the festive atmosphere. The activity has turned the open grounds into lively spaces filled with young kite flyers preparing for the arrival of Dashain.
Kite flying has long been associated with Dashain in Nepal, particularly in the Kathmandu Valley. The period after the monsoon brings clearer skies and suitable winds, making it an ideal time for the activity. Traditionally, kite flying has also been connected with the end of the rainy season and the belief of asking Indra, the god of rain, to stop sending rain.
Beyond entertainment, kite flying encourages outdoor activity, coordination, concentration, creativity and social interaction among children. School-organized kite-flying activities also give younger generations an opportunity to experience and continue a traditional part of Nepal’s festive culture.
For many Nepalis, colourful kites across the autumn sky are a familiar sign that Dashain is approaching. The growing participation of schoolchildren in Kirtipur shows how traditional activities can bring fun, friendship and cultural connection to the festive season.
